In a tense and chaotic scene on Tuesday, residents of Mahigaini and Ngucue villages in Mwea-East Sub-County, Kirinyaga, took matters into their own hands in response to the shocking murder of 16-year-old Purity Makena.
The teenager’s lifeless body was found near Thiba River in Mwea-West Sub-County on Christmas Eve, sparking outrage across the region.
The villagers, deeply angered by the brutal crime, stormed the homes of two men they accused of being involved in the murder.
In an act of defiance, they placed Purity’s body at the doorstep of one of the suspects’ homes.
As law enforcement from Wang’uru Police Station and Assistant Chief George Mungai tried to manage the situation, violence broke out.
For more than an hour, the angry crowd marched through the area, shouting and protesting the teenager’s tragic death.
Although police officers deployed tear gas to control the crowd, the rampage continued, and the suspects’ property was destroyed.
John Muriuki, Purity’s father, revealed a disturbing detail about the crime.
He said that a phone number belonging to Purity’s sister had been written on the girl’s hand, leading detectives to contact the family after Purity’s sister received a call from the suspects.
The anger of the villagers was further fueled by rumors and accusations of an LGBTQ connection to the crime.
Local residents claimed that one of the suspects had been involved in homosexual activities, which they believed had caused other deaths in the area.
“We don’t want him in our village,” said Paul Migwi, a local man.
“He’s been involved in these LGBTQ activities, and now people are dying because of it.”
Purity’s aunt, Susan Muthoni, alleged that the teenager was in a relationship with one of the suspects.
“When I called the boy over an incident, both he and his employer confessed to the relationship.
We suspect this is why they killed her when she found out,” Muthoni said.
Assistant Chief George Maina confirmed that despite the unrest, the suspects’ families had managed to flee the area without physical harm, though their property was destroyed.
“The family moved to Rogoi village in Murinduko Ward, but on their way, they were attacked in Ngucue village, and some of their belongings were set on fire,” Maina reported.
Later that afternoon, Purity Makena was buried in Ngucue village, where church leaders attending the funeral urged the community to protect their children and resist what they viewed as harmful LGBTQ influences in the area.
“Purity came from a humble background, living with her grandmother, and we believe the man took advantage of her,” said Paul Maina, a church leader from Kimbimbi Parish.
Mwea-West Sub-County Police Commander Rashid Ali confirmed the arrest of the two men accused of the murder.
The suspects, from Mwea-East Sub-County, had dumped Purity’s body in Mwea-West.
“The suspects are in custody, and investigations are still ongoing,” Ali said.
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